Tax Evasion Penalties

Tax evasion penalties may result in civil and criminal penalties; it is a serious violation. This is because unlike other IRS violations, tax evasion is a crime. Unlike tax fraud, which can be civil or criminal — evading tax is a crime. If a person is investigation, charged and found guilty of tax evasion, the punishment may results in both fines and incarceration. There are various ways the IRS or DOJ may learn of the fraud, including: someone reporting you to the IRS; IRS audit or examination; and whistleblowers.

Tax Evasion occurs when a person intentionally and artificially reduces their tax liability to the IRS.

A person typically commits tax evasion when they:

Do not submit a tax return when they know they should

Artificially reducing or omitting Income

Include false personal deductions on the tax return.

Include false business deductions on the tax return.

Since the goal of the individual is to falsely reduce the tax liability, it is considered an attempt to “evade” taxes, and hence a potential criminal tax evasion charge.

The penalties for evasion can run the spectrum. Some taxpayers may get away with a warning, while other may end spending years behind bars, and pay hundreds of thousands (even millions) in penalties.

When it comes to Tax evasion penalties will typically include:

Failure-to-file-penalty

Penalty for not filing taxes

Filing taxes late

Artificially reducing income

Fraudulently claiming expenses

Some of the more common questions we receive about tax evasion penalties, include:

What is Considered Tax Evasion?

Tax evasion is when a person knowingly avoids taxes, by either excluding income from their tax return, or falsifying expenses and deductions to artificially reduce their income — and thereby reducing their tax liability

Can you go to Jail for Tax Evasion?

Yes. Unlike other types of tax violations, tax evasion is a crime, which may result in monetary fines and prison

What are the Income Tax Penalties for Tax Evasion?

They can range, but oftentimes they will reach several hundreds of thousands of dollars when a person is convicted of several counts of tax evasion (and other related crimes). The person may also be sentences to prison.

What is the Penalty for Not Reporting Income?

Just because someone does not report income, does not mean they are guilty of Tax Evasion. Sometimes, if a person was negligent, or the government cannot show beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed, the penalties for not reporting income are significantly less than the penalties for tax evasion.

How Long Do You Go to Jail for Tax Evasion?

It varies, but tends to range from 1-5 years.

Can the IRS Put You in Jail?

No, but the IRS refers to your the Special Agents for a criminal investigation, and the IRS Special Agents then refer you for prosecutions (and some people are then sentenced to jail)

Relevant Criminal Tax Code Sections

26 USC 7201 – Tax Evasion

Any person who willfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat any tax imposed by this title or the payment thereof shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $100,000 ($500,000 in the case of a corporation), or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.

7206. Fraud and false statements

Any person who—

(1) Declaration under penalties of perjury

Willfully makes and subscribes any return, statement, or other document, which contains or is verified by a written declaration that it is made under the penalties of perjury, and which he does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter; or

(2) Aid or assistance

Willfully aids or assists in, or procures, counsels, or advises the preparation or presentation under, or in connection with any matter arising under, the internal revenue laws, of a return, affidavit, claim, or other document, which is fraudulent or is false as to any material matter, whether or not such falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the person authorized or required to present such return, affidavit, claim, or document; or

(3) Fraudulent bonds, permits, and entries

Simulates or falsely or fraudulently executes or signs any bond, permit, entry, or other document required by the provisions of the internal revenue laws, or by any regulation made in pursuance thereof, or procures the same to be falsely or fraudulently executed, or advises, aids in, or connives at such execution thereof; or

(4) Removal or concealment with intent to defraud

Removes, deposits, or conceals, or is concerned in removing, depositing, or concealing, any goods or commodities for or in respect whereof any tax is or shall be imposed, or any property upon which levy is authorized by section 6331, with intent to evade or defeat the assessment or collection of any tax imposed by this title; or

(5) Compromises and closing agreements

In connection with any compromise under section 7122, or offer of such compromise, or in connection with any closing agreement under section 7121, or offer to enter into any such agreement, willfully—

(A) Concealment of property

Conceals from any officer or employee of the United States any property belonging to the estate of a taxpayer or other person liable in respect of the tax, or

(B) Withholding, falsifying, and destroying records

Receives, withholds, destroys, mutilates, or falsifies any book, document, or record, or makes any false statement, relating to the estate or financial condition of the taxpayer or other person liable in respect of the tax shall be guilty of a felony

7203. Willful failure to File Return, Supply Information, or Pay Tax

Any person required under this title to pay any estimated tax or tax, or required by this title or by regulations made under authority thereof to make a return, keep any records, or supply any information, who willfully fails to pay such estimated tax or tax, make such return, keep such records, or supply such information, at the time or times required by law or regulations, shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than 25,000 ($100,000 in the case of a corporation), or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, together with the costs of prosecution. In the case of any person with respect to whom there is a failure to pay any estimated tax, this section shall not apply to such person with respect to such failure if there is no addition to tax under section 6654 or 6655 with respect to such failure.

**In the case of a willful violation of any provision of section 6050I, the first sentence of this section shall be applied by substituting “felony” for “misdemeanor” and “5 years” for “1 year”.

Willfully failing to file an FBAR or False FBAR — 31 U.S.C. § 5322

(a) A person willfully violating this subchapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subchapter (except section 5315 or 5324 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315 or 5324), or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508, shall be fined not more than $250,000, or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.

(b) A person willfully violating this subchapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subchapter (except section 5315 or 5324 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315 or 5324), or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91–508, while violating another law of the United States or as part of a pattern of any illegal activity involving more than $100,000 in a 12-month period, shall be fined not more than $500,000, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.

(c) For a violation of section 5318(a)(2) of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5318(a)(2), a separate violation occurs for each day the violation continues and at each office, branch, or place of business at which a violation occurs or continues. (d) A financial institution or agency that violates any provision of subsection (i) or (j) of section 5318, or any special measures imposed under section 5318A, or any regulation prescribed under subsection (i) or (j) of section 5318 or section 5318A, shall be fined in an amount equal to not less than 2 times the amount of the transaction, but not more than $1,000,000.

Three (3) Common Examples of Tax Evasion

There are many different ways a person can file a fraudulent tax return. For example, a person may underreport income (which is especially true in situations in which the income was cash (and not easily traceable), and/or the income was earned from overseas and no form-1099 or equivalent was issued.

Alternatively, a person may knowingly overreport deductions or claim business expenses that don’t really exist, in order to reduce tax liability.

Omitting Income Example

Steven resides in the United States but has various investments overseas that earn income abroad. Steven knows he’s supposed to report the earnings to the IRS. But, Steven also knows that the IRS has not entered into a tax treaty with this particular country, and that the Foreign Financial Institutions (FFIs) of this country are not reporting Stevens financial information to the IRS on a U.S. equivalent form 1099.

Therefore, Steven intentionally excludes this income on his US tax return. This would be an example of intentionally falsifying a tax return in order to reduce the amount of income — and therefore reduce tax liability.

Falsifying Business Expenses

Falsifying business expenses comes in many different shapes and sizes. For example, Michelle has a foreign consulting business in which she travels around the country trying to retain clients to purchase her design services.

Michelle also likes to travel as a hobby, eat at fine restaurants, and drive fancy cars. Therefore, Michelle expenses certain pricey dinners and vacations as business expenses, when clearly Michelle was not engaging in any business for the expenses she claimed.

Therefore, Michelle has falsified her tax return by including expenses which are false (aka not business expenses).

Taking Improper Tax Deductions

This is also very common scenario in which a person includes deductions on their tax return that are simply not true. For example, David does not have a home office which he uses specifically for business, but he claims a portion of a very large den in his home as a home office in order to reduce his taxes.

In addition, David also included medical expenses that he never really had in order to increase his schedule A itemized deductions, and there by reducing his tax liability.

Finally, David also has two rental properties, in which he falsified improvements to make it seem like they were expensive repairs (so he could deduct instead of amortize the expenses), and thereby reduce the net income that was generated from the rental properties. This also reduces income and thereby artificially reduces his tax liability – which is illegal

IRS Special Agents – Criminal Investigation

When this happens, you will be referred to the IRS Special Agents for a criminal investigation.

Please note, the IRS does not tell you that they have referred your case to the special agents. Rather, you typically meet the Special Agents assigned to your case when you least expected it.

The IRS Special Agents travel in pairs, and show up to your house, work, club, event unannounced hoping to interview you

Do not speak with them, and kindly tell them that you have an attorney, or that you will be obtaining an attorney and that the attorney will contact the agents.

Golding & Golding (Board-Certified Tax Law Specialist)

We specialize exclusively in international tax, and specifically IRS offshore disclosure.

We have successfully represented clients in more than 1,000 streamlined and voluntary offshore disclosure submissions nationwide and in over 70-different countries. We have represented thousands of individuals and businesses with international tax problems.

We are the “go-to” firm for other Attorneys, CPAs, Enrolled Agents, Accountants, and Financial Professionals across the globe.

We are the “go-to” firm for other Attorneys, CPAs, Enrolled Agents, Accountants and Financial Professionals worldwide.

Less than 1% of Tax Attorneys Nationwide Are Certified Specialists

Sean M. Golding is one of less than 350 Attorneys (out of more than 200,000 practicing California Attorneys) to earn the Certified Tax Law Specialist credential. The credential is awarded to less than 1% of Attorneys.

Recent Golding & Golding Case Highlights

We represented a client in an 8-figure disclosure that spanned 7 countries.

We represented a high-net-worth client to facilitate a complex expatriation with offshore disclosure.

We represented an overseas family with bringing multiple businesses & personal investments into U.S. tax and offshore compliance.

We took over a case from a small firm that unsuccessfully submitted multiple clients to IRS Offshore Disclosure.

We successfully completed several recent disclosures for clients with assets ranging from $50,000 – $7,000,000+.

How to Hire Experienced Streamlined Counsel?

How to Hire Experienced Offshore Counsel?

Generally, experienced attorneys in this field will have the following credentials/experience:

Board Certified Tax Law Specialist credential

Master’s of Tax Law (LL.M.)

Dually Licensed as an EA (Enrolled Agent) or CPA

20-years experience as a practicing attorney

Extensive litigation, high-stakes audit and trial experience

Interested in Learning More about Golding & Golding?

No matter where in the world you reside, our international tax team can get you IRS offshore compliant.

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